Always communicate clearly with pedestrians and other drivers on the road, and use your turn signals

Always drive sober

Parents and trick-or-treaters are encouraged to review safety precautions before heading out, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules, and are reminded to:

Be seen -- there are many ways to make it easier for drivers to see you, like wearing costumes with bright fabrics or reflective material and carrying a flashlight

Be alert and cautious of surroundings, especially on roadways

Look both ways when crossing the street and make eye contact with drivers

Always walk -- do not run from house to house

Walk on the sidewalks whenever possible and always cross at pedestrian crossovers, crosswalks or marked intersections

If a sidewalk is unavailable, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic

Ensure children under the age of 12 have proper supervision

Trick-or-treat in familiar areas that are well lit

QUOTES

" Halloween is one of the most exciting days of the year. As a parent, I know how important it is to keep safety in mind during this eventful night. I encourage drivers and pedestrians to be extra cautious and alert. Whether you are dressed up as a ghoul, ghost or witch - we can all do our part to make sure this Halloween is an enjoyable one." - Steven Del Duca Minister of Transportation

QUICK FACTS

Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death for Canadian children.

On average, one person is killed on Ontario’s roads every 17 hours. In 2014, pedestrians and cyclists made up approximately 25 per cent of Ontario’s road fatalities.

In May, Ontario passed legislation to protect the most vulnerable such as pedestrians and cyclists, by giving municipalities more tools to address speeding. These tools include the ability to set reduced default speed limits and use automated speed-enforcement systems on roads with speed limits below 80 km/h that are designated as community safety zones or in school zones.

In June 2015, Ontario passed legislation to toughen penalties for offences such as distracted driving.

In September, Ontario announced that it will propose legislation that, if passed, would help protect pedestrians and cyclists, and reduce the number of people killed or injured by impaired, distracted and dangerous drivers.